Dementia Care System: Guiding Principles

The Wisconsin Dementia Care Guiding Principles describe the values and practices needed for high-quality, effective care and support for all people living with dementia. They also include a strong emphasis on:

• Prevention or relief of crisis situations.
• Consumer awareness.
• Person-centered care.
• Community engagement.

The Wisconsin Dementia Care Guiding Principles are not regulatory in nature. They do not replace the many existing high-quality programs, practices, and tools already available. Instead, the principles add to these resources. They provide common terminology and an understanding of shared values.

Find links to the Wisconsin Dementia Care Guiding Principles booklet and each section of the booklet below. There is also a sample of the Guiding Principles poster.

Wisconsin Dementia Care Guiding Principles booklet

Find the entire booklet: Wisconsin Dementia Care Guiding Principles, P-01022 (PDF). To read about a specific topic, choose from this list.

• Introduction (PDF)
• Purpose of Guiding Principles (PDF)
• Guiding Principles at a Glance (PDF)
• Guiding Principle #1 – Personal Liberties (PDF)
• Guiding Principle #2 – Community Awareness (PDF)
• Guiding Principle #3 – Early Detection and Diagnosis (PDF)
• Guiding Principle #4 – Independence and Choice (PDF)
• Guiding Principle #5 – Individualized Care and Services (PDF)
• Guiding Principle #6 – Meaningful Activities (PDF)
• Guiding Principle #7 – Coordinated Systems (PDF)
• Guiding Principle #8 – Education and Training (PDF)
• Guiding Principle #9 – Communication through Behaviors (PDF)
• Guiding Principle #10 – Environment and Living Space (PDF)
• Appendix – Definitions (PDF)

Wisconsin Dementia Care Guiding Principles poster

Order a poster today (PDF)

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Questions about the State Dementia Plan? Email dhsdementiawebmail@dhs.wisconsin.gov.